Each year, Karl Larcom leads the way in organizing a sold out PGA Hope Day at Boulder Creek Golf Club in Boulder City. The day reminds all of us who the true heroes are while raising funds for the PGA Hope programing in Southern Nevada. Here’s some of the story.
PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) introduces and teaches golf to Veterans and Active Duty Military to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being. Led by PGA of America Golf Professionals, the program is inclusive of a developmental 6-8 week curriculum. All programs are provided at no cost to all participating Veterans. PGA HOPE has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which enables direct referrals to the PGA HOPE program as a form of therapy. In Southern Nevada, there are programs throughout the year led by PGA of America professionals.
”
“We’ve been at this for six years now and we’ve raised in the neighborhood of $75,000,” said Larcom, whose son is active duty Army. “That all goes back into the Southern Nevada community. It’s just awesome to see, the support of our veterans that need some help. Having golf as an outlet to learn the game with PGA professionals who really are giving back to the community and just giving these veterans some new quality of life that maybe they didn’t know about. They have made a lot of sacrifices in their lives. I look forward to this day every year. I wish I could do more. What I feel like I’m doing is just a small little thing compared to what the vets have given up to keep this country safe”
Tom Skophammer is the director of the PGA Hope programming in Southern Nevada.
“We are very grateful for this day and support of Karl and everyone out here,” Skophammer said. “This is our main fundraiser. Karl has done an awesome job providing us an opportunity to raise money. PGA Hope has only been around since 2014, so we’re still growing. The PGA Hope experience is different from veteran to veteran. I mean, for some people it’s a life altering experience because they have never been introduced to golf or they are kind of sheltered or disabled or whatever. This is gives them an opportunity to get out in the fresh air. Then there are some at the other end of the spectrum who are really into golf and we’re helping them improve their game. Plus, we have everything in between. It’s very interesting and very rewarding for me.”
Check out more details at PGA Hope website